11,410.

That’s the amount of things I’m usually thinking about and doing at the same time. Can you relate?

This year has been absolutely hectic. Financially, 2022 was my best year in 5 years. Physically and emotionally, it felt like I was running all day until I fell into bed at night. 

And the only times I seemed able to shut off all-the-things and achieve a sense of calm was when:

• I was in the zone working.
• I was deep inside exercise and a song, or in the sauna at the gym.
• I was watching the wilderness survival show, Alone, and fantasizing about being on a slightly modified version of this show, where for like 6 hours, I got to pick berries in the sun, swim, and then sit by a fire and read. 
• Amidst the children and the dogs and the messy house, I took a momentary freeze-frame of my life and said, this is a happy moment.

So today I find myself worn out, yet also feeling capable, empowered and hopeful. 

Like I’ve shared in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, here is my 2022 by the numbers:

• Years in business — 16 (so grateful for that decision all those years ago, and for Ilise who helped me stay resilient)
• Total clients — 20 (6 less than last year — I’m doing bigger projects for fewer people)
• Clients / partners who are designers — 8 
• Client websites written — 17 (up 6 from last year)
• Client blogs + newsletters + case studies written — 60+ 
• Clients for whom I write monthly or bi-monthly blogs, newsletters or case studies — 6
• Clients who came from referrals — 8 (5 more than last year)
• Proposals created — 12
• Proposals accepted — 10 (I talk about money during the consult so they know what to expect)
• Times the ice cream truck came to our house - 10+! (Have you ever had a bomb pop from the Mister Softee truck? Seriously, why are they so good?)
• Times I turned getting hit by a car into a marketing lesson — 1
• Un-newsletter subscribers — 1027 
• Un-newsletters sent — 4 (Eh, at least that makes 82 since 2010! Read them on my blog.)
• Urgent naps I took at 2PM — plenty
• Conversations I started in the supermarket — countless (truly one of my favorite things)
• Treadmill desks purchased — 1!  (I’ll share my thoughts soon.)
• Actual books read — 4 (This is approximately 4 more than last year. ;) I really enjoyed Evelyn Hugo and Eleanor Oliphant.)
• Times I fed the children cereal for dinner — quite a few, but not as many as I wanted :)
• Times I took my son to the aquarium without a stroller — 1 (never again)
• We Can Do Hard Things podcast episodes I listened to — most of them! 

What’s my plan for 2023?

More: 

• Dance parties
• Vegetables
• Top-dollar projects
• Self-compassion 
• Efficiency
• Decluttering (when my space has less overwhelming stuff, so does my mind)
• Listening to my body when it says: Rest!
• Noticing what brings me joy, and then doing more of it.

Wishing you a 2023 that lets you feel calm often.❤

—

Hi, I’m Deidre. In my posts, I talk about my voyage down the road of self-employment as a copywriting partner to web designers , my achievements and roadblocks along the way, and what I’m learning as I go (with Marketing Mentor as my guide). To keep in touch, sign up for my un-newsletter here and get my freebie download, 12 Sparks to Write Sizzling, Audience-Attracting Website Words.